WOW Darht, this pierced me. There is so much depth in this that you wrote. "roots them in their past and makes it difficult to move forward": I have so many thoughts, working titles for articles centered on this exact point. I find myself for the first time in my life, disconnected from, not living with and have gotten some distance from toxic, destructive people that have had power and control over me. It seems that there is a powerful force field that pulls and continues to hold me down. Feeling stuck, not wanting to live my life and not knowing how I will or can (live and exist) after escaping from those that are the cause of most of my trauma- feels overwhelming. It is difficult to admit this. BUT I feel so strongly that we must elevate dialogue and discussion on these.

Christians (the religious), my mother, my dad and other family members, my ex and various people along the way are all sources of the destructive pain and trauma that I have endured. I am but one and I have a larger awareness and utter grief for how rampant and widespread crushing abuse and trauma is.

And to "hear" what you are saying about women and abuse, religious/spiritual abuse, trauma and it's effects and that surviving and getting through this is strong- fills my heart with courage and hope. This is a strong and powerful piece. I am so encouraged by this. Good work. I hope so much more is sparked and grows from this.